We dont want to watch that. I said I dont have money for another writer, she said. more. Instead of a trope that we just talk about. And with Harlem becoming completely gentrified today, this is all relevant., She adds, Were making something that hopefully will appeal to a mass audience that will support it, to see it as a cinematic event.. As a woman of color in a top decision-making position in the industry, Bongiovi represents the progress the industry is making. Women of color need a seat at the table during crucial decisions. It was a tough time for Yang: she was suffering from severe depression after losing both her mother and sister to respiratory issues. When I hear that I actually laugh because its not like I grew up without racism. You are an incredible creator. Both Dope and Songs My Brothers Taught Me were selected to play at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Nina Yangs income mostly comes from and basic source is being a successful American Film producer. We have to protect the integrity and creativity of the company, she said. Despite her mother's resistance, Yang Bongiovi stayed for four years, learning everyones job on the set before venturing out on her own. Imagine having a structure where that doesnt work., 2023 Cond Nast. She was producing a project she wanted him to star in. Although it is a TV series, Godfather of Harlemincludes the cinematic verve seen in Bonigiovis films. Producer Nina Yang Bongiovi. Forest Whitaker and his Significant Productions co-founder Nina Yang Bongiovi have signed a first-look deal with Amazon. Vanity Fair may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. I was learning, but its not like I was doing anything significant. She explains that in filmmaking, you have to go in rich and be independently wealthy in order to make money. After you get beaten up so much trying to climb up the ladder in this industry, you just feel like, Why is this person being so kind? That transpired into a friendship.. therefore, she has amassed a fortune over the years. Fruitvale Station. Roxanne Roxanne (2018) Nick Allen. Riley is confident Sorry to Bother You wouldnt have been made without her. Highest Rated: 100% Devil's Pie: D'Angelo (2019) Lowest Rated: 33% Repentance (2013) Birthday: Not Available. ' Yes, thatRon Bass the Academy Award-winning screenwriter ofRain Man. - Listen to Mini-Series: Creating Atomic Habits with Guest host Kate Bone (part 1) by Mentors on the Mic instantly on your tablet, phone or browser - no downloads needed. With nearly two decades of experience in the motion picture industry, Nina Yang Bongiovi has gained a positive reputation for having an in-depth knowledge of film financing, creative and physical producing, and a knack for discovering talent, like that of Ryan Coogler (Marvel's "Black Panther"), whose first film, "Fruitvale Station" (2013) was produced by Nina [] Visit us on Facebook; Visit us on Twitter; Is Stella and Hugh from Love Island Australia still married? Discover which TV Shows and Movies star Nina Yang Bongiovi. From producer Lawrence Turmans $1,000 option of a minor novel in 1964 to the movies out-of-left-field triumph three years later, Sam Kashner recalls a breakout film that literally changed the face of Hollywood. Bongiovi's latest coup is a documentary about the rise, fall, and rebirth of former NBA star Stephon Marbury, who is a super celeb in China. This kid is a storyteller.. She received her graduate degree in Entertainment Management from the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California, and serves as the Associate Chair at the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC's School of Cinematic Arts. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. I believe that if you put your heart and attention into making the best movie, the financing will come., She is constantly meeting new filmmakers through her relationships with Annenberg, where she discovered Coogler, Cinereach, San Francisco Film Society, and Sundance. Is reading Atomic Habits on your to-do list? Light-skinned, elegant, and ambitious, she is married to a racist white man unaware of her African American heri With their five films, they have proven their track record to their investors and studios who believed in them because that rarely happens. Guest host and Actress Kate Bone j. Nina Yang Bongiovi is a BAFTA nominated, Asian American film producer, with extensive experience in creative development, film finance and physical production. Bongiovi said she didnt want to make any mistakes and after presenting the material to Johnsons minister, he said, It sounds good to me. After 11 months, Fruitvale Stationwas on its way to being made. Les lingettes, cest pas dans les toilettes ! Because of our taste level, we get to choose what projects we work on and who we work with.. The producer, who changed her last name in 2012 when she married Jon Bon Jovis younger brother Anthony Bongiovi (who uses the traditional spelling of their family name), has a history of making bets on people and subject matters Hollywood normally wouldnt touch. Before Nina Yang Bongiovi and her producing partner Forest Whitaker launched Significant Productions and created acclaimed films such as Fruitvale Station, Dope, Roxanne Roxanne andSorry to Bother You, Bongiovi had another career in mind: journalism. Nina Yang Bongiovi, better known by her family name Nina Yang Bongiovi, is a popular American Film producer. Nina has been working in the film industry for almost twenty years. Birthplace: Not Available. Thats depressing.. R | 2013 | DRAMA, ROMANCE . Bongiovi said they already have mapped out five seasons starting in 1963 and continuing through 1968, the year Bumpy died. Im like who is this guy? I was sure he wouldnt want to work with me anymore.. I would say that the first 10 years of my career I failed, four of them in Asia. Immigrant parents tend to make their children gravitate toward more stable careers that guarantee money something usually in the realm of medicine, law or business. When she showed his material to Whitaker, he was immediately on board with his talent. Ne paniquez pas, nous allons rsoudre cela ensemble. His kindness and desire to help shocked her. Coogler loved cinematographer Rachel Morrison and Bongiovi was supportive of that. Asian-American Film Producer It was executive produced by Chris Brancato, Paul Eckstein, Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, Markuann Smith and Joe Chappelle. Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi who wed in 1989 have been married for over 30 years, and together for over 40. Nina Yang Bongiovi is the producer of films including "Sorry To Bother You," "Fruitvale Station" and "Roxanne, Roxanne." (Pete Lee) As told to Serena Kim. Naturally, Bumpy wants to regain control. Feedback. Fortunately, its my fifth movie with them, and I made them money on Fruitvale, Dope, Songs, and Roxanne, said Yang Bongiovi. Fruitvale Station set the mission for our company, said Yang Bongiovi, a petite brunette with a hearty laugh and self-deprecating demeanor. I believe in what Forest and I are doing and building. For a lot of people, it's that book everyone has been talking about that you've been meaning to read it.Look no further. It helps to already be famous to become a social media influencer, but she demonstrates that you need to have a raw or personal touch and engage with your followers if you want to do well on Instagram Facebook, Twiter, Youtube, etc. Your heart and imagination is beyond. How Rebecca Hall's family history inspired new film . Heres to You, Mr. Nichols: The Making of. Shes what a producer should be. Evocatively photographed in black and white, the movie has a calm, polished veneer topped off by Devont Hynes' jazz piano score. Hollywoods Eat-the-Rich Satires Need Sharper Teeth. I say, Call us. Perhaps its because they have Oscar winner Guillermo Navarro (Pans Labyrinth) as their DP and hip hop superstar Swizz Beatz providing the music. Yang told Whitaker she was headed back to Shanghai soon to conduct more research. A publication from Medium that centers the stories, poetry, essays and thoughts of women of color. Si vous continuez utiliser ce dernier, nous considrerons que vous acceptez l'utilisation des cookies. She didnt stop to think how Morrison fit into a grander narrative involving inclusion barriers. Producing partners, Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forest Whitaker have gained a stellar reputation for having in-depth knowledge of film financing, creative and physical producing, and a knack for discovering talent, like that of Ryan Coogler (Marvel's BLACK PANTHER), whose first film, FRUITVALE STATION (2013) was produced by Forest and Nina. This is a BETA experience. Nina has been working in the film industry for almost twenty years. Dont read the script.. That was the moment I realized how important that wasI had 30 young women lined up to talk to me!. It was really exciting, said Whitaker from New York, where he is filming the new Epix/ABC Signature Studios television show Godfather of Harlem. The pair met ten years ago when Bongiovi was a low point in her life, recently losing both her mother and sister. who is nina yang bongiovi married to. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters, Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. You have to trust me. Charlotte Koh for Confluential Films and Bird Runningwater are executive producers. Popular. And it convinced their investors, the Hong Kong and Shanghai-based MNM Creativeheaded up by Yang Bongiovis childhood friends Michael Chow and Michael Shenthat backing Yang Bongiovi and Whitaker was good business. She has some idea of the world and what will work in the marketplace, and she goes for it instead of reading trade magazines and seeing what they say the audience will want., Yang Bongiovi said that her track record gives her a leg up with her investors. Fruitvale Stationwent on to premiere at Sundance in 2013 to a standing ovation and critical acclaim. Nina has been working in the film industry for almost twenty years. she is one of famous Film producer with the age years old group. With Whitaker and Significant, she has been slowly building commodity and producing power. We have to come together., I remember at another panel someone goes well its kind of hard to support what you do because you only make black films, she remembers. Also, if it was something that was stereotypical, Forest wouldnt have attached himself to star in it., Set in the era of the civil rights movement, Godfather of Harlem resonates in the current political climate and Bongiovi hopes it speaks to audiences. Find on Wikipedia. This video and your vulnerability means so much. Well guide you on the deal, and well tell you how much you are worthand remind you how much youre worth.. She married the father of her child, only to have the relationship turn abusive. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. But my core investors have always been Asian and Asian-American.. Born on in United States of America, Nina Yang Bongiovi started her career as Film producer . Having premiered September 29, Godfather of Harlemis still fresh to the TV landscape. He recalls scouting Shanghai for possible locations, learning about the complications of inter-racial adoption, and getting to know Chinese culture through Yangs family. Whitaker, fresh off his Academy Award win for his portrayal of Idi Amin in Last King of Scotland, was intrigued by the story, but thought the script needed more work. with Forest Whitaker in 2009, her optimism about the opportunities that would. Growing up as a Chinese-American Bongiovi assumed there wasnt room for someone like her in the industry, let alone in a producing capacity that would allow her to greenlight and pull together films. Ive been called dragon woman because Im Chinese. But words like this roll off her back. She is keeping many of the projects under wraps but guarantees she has a slate of projects that will have Asian Americans in front of and behind the camera. My brother was like, You have to do real estate, she laughed. Thats not something people often do in Hollywood., Riley laughed when he told me that after production wrapped, he learned that Yang Bongiovi had boldly told MNM Creative not to read the script for Sorry to Bother You, which stars Lakeith Stanfield as a code-switching telemarketer who starts succeeding when he turns on his whitevoice, before investing in the project. He believed the script wasnt right but offered to work with her to improve it. Please scroll down to see information about Nina Yang Bongiovi Social media profiles. [Connie Chung] was the one person that my mom identified with, so I actually was allowed to pursue something different, Bongiovi told Deadline. No. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Nina Yang Bongiovi As seen in: Justmeans. She didnt want to deal with lawyers, let alone Hollywood trying to tell the story of her familys tragedy. Associate Chair of the School of Cinematic Arts Peter Stark Producing Program. [2][3], Bongiovi and Whitaker produced the 2013 American film Fruitvale Station, written and directed by Ryan Coogler and based on the story of the shooting of Oscar Grant in 2009. It isnt like anything else. About four years ago, she was on a filmmaking panel and an Asian American told her you only do black films to which she responded, No, I do excellent films I work with excellent filmmakers and my partner is Forrest Whitaker. That said, Bongiovi and Whitaker recently signed a first-look deal with Amazon and arent wasting any time in developing Asian American and other multicultural narratives often erased from history. You are what you watch. Its not excluding, its waiting for the right time to tell a narrative that is willing to be heard. When Bongiovi met him for the first time she immediately connected with him. Copyright 2023 All American Speakers Bureau. Meanwhile, she made two low-budget features: Mail Order Wife and Confessions of an Action Star, the latter of which she classifies as slightly embarrassing. Structural Info Facts Pictures Filmography Awards Known for movies Fruitvale Station (2013) as Producer Dope (2015) Vous tes ici : teddy allen shreveport / umay treadmill troubleshooting / who is nina yang bongiovi married to 29 mai 2022 / sources of obligation / dans la corneta quien es el nuevo / par Whether intentional or not, she was strategic in how she navigated what she wanted to do in Hollywood so she went to Asia where she worked on kung fu movies, working with Stanley Tong, the Hong Kong filmmaker who worked closely with Jackie Chan on some of his most iconic movies includingChina Strike Force. We are here to help! Check out the latest pictures, photos and images of Nina Yang Bongiovi. Their roots have been in films with black creators and talent, and she points out that they have done that well. Amazon has also signed Forest Whitaker and his production company Significant Productions. Check out the Biography of Nina Yang Bongiovi. Coogler wrote the script and after shaving it down from 150 to 115 pages, it was ready to go. PG-13 | 2011 | DRAMA, ACTION. Even though she managed to get some money in the bank, she admitted that there was a lot of heartbreak and speedbumps on the journey to make a film. It made Hollywood take notice of Coogler and cemented the duo as producers who were out to, like their production company says, make significant and relevant projects. About. 352 posts. When White Hollywood refuses to finance a movie about Brown people, only a handful can answer the call. She wanted to make movies. Sep 10, 2021. Fruitvale Station made over $17 million worldwide, setting Coogler up for Black Panther and solidifying Michael B. Jordan (who would play the memorable villain in Black Panther) as a Hollywood star. Nina Yang Bongiovi is an American film producer. Required fields are marked *. From the Mill Valley Film Festival I talk to Producer Nina Yang Bongiovi about being a part of Rebecca Hall's directorial debut for the movie Passing and wha. Shortly after they met, Bongiovi was planning a trip to China for the film and to spend time with her father and her family because her mother passed away. The real-life Bumpy Johnson has been featured in many TV series and films. The mentioned names may serve 2021. Spoilers ahead! View the profiles of people named Nina Yang. Courtesy of Panoply (cover art). When they met with him, Coogler talked about his passion projects and the first thing he talked about was the shooting of Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland. Bongiovi reached out to her colleagues in Asia. In 2008, Nina Yang Bongiovi was just Nina Yang, a 35-year-old struggling producer desperate to get her fictional film about an inter-racial couples struggle to adopt a baby from China into production. For the most part, those versions were loosely based on the crime boss, or his name is just referenced. [1] In 2009, she partnered with actor Forest Whitaker to create Significant Productions; together, they have produced Fruitvale Station (2013) by Ryan Coogler, Dope (2015) by Rick Famuyiwa, Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015) by Chloe Zhao, Roxanne Roxanne (2017) by Michael Larnell, Sorry to Bother You (2018) by Boots Riley, and Passing (2021) by Rebecca Hall. Despite all that, her ambition continued unabatedand she brazenly approached Forest Whitaker to play the role of the husband in her nascent film. Most of these filmmakers dont have the money to hire an attorney to guide them on deals. You did that! The producer, who changed her last name in 2012 when she married Jon Bon Jovi's younger brother Anthony Bongiovi (who uses the traditional spelling of their family name), has a history of. She also made sure Riley was protected as a filmmaker. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Reviews. That moment of happenstance has evolved into a production partnership thats spawned some of the most acclaimed, most unlikely successes to emanate from Hollywood in recent years. Contact Nina Yang, search articles and Tweets, monitor coverage, and track replies . By Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock. By David Buchan/Variety/REX/Shutterstock. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Were mindful of how each character is portrayed; we want to portray each character with complexity and depth. Her Wiki Fruitvale Station (2013), Dope (2015), The Children of Huang Shi (2008), China Strike Force (2000), Documentary co-executive producer - as Nina Yang, produced in collaboration with - as Nina Yang, TV Series talent coordinator: Dennis Hopper unit - as Nina Yang, Cause and Effect: The Making of Repentance. We both loved feature films so we wanted to find a feature that represents what were building and thats when we came with Significant Productions everything were making is significant and culturally significant., She added, Thinking back now everything kind of just fell into place. While Bongiovi was criticizing their bad lighting, her mother was emphasizing their dramatic quality, and thus helping her daughter take note of what to look for in a production. More than ever, she says, the lack of women, and especially women of color, in technical areas in film as well as producing is troubling. Bongiovi and Whitaker produced the 2013 American film Fruitvale Station, written and directed by Ryan Coogler and based on the story of the shooting of Oscar Grant in 2009. All American Speakers Bureau is a full-service talent booking agency providing information on booking Nina Yang Bongiovi for speaking engagements, personal appearances and corporate events. Im also hyper-aware that I can find an audience and a market for it, because I still have to answer to our investors, she said. It forces her to go to bat for those holding the money bags. Most notably, he was portrayed in 2007s American Gangster by Clarence Williams III. Theres Ava DuVernay at Array Now, Charles. Nina Yang Bongiovi. Great Movies Collections TV/Streaming Interviews Movie Reviews Chaz's Journal Contributors Cast and Crew Nina Yang Bongiovi Find on IMDB. star Stephon Marburys unlikely resurgence in China. Ive seen her walk away from deals because she felt like due to racism, people werent valuing the product enough. They did and the film about gentrification, code switching and identity in a hyper-realistic version of Oakland became a critical success. Shes happy to look past the current system and raise the funds necessary to move a project forward, and she has the aptitude to develop these projects and stand by these individuals who may have never done something of this scope before.. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic). Bongiovi became involved with the project after film professor at USC, Jed Dannenbaum, contacted her to introduce her to Coogler, who was one of Dannenbaum's current students. The money from Taiwan dried up. Also learn about how she is rich at the age of 49 years old? . in 2009 she partnered with actor Forest Whitaker to create Significant Productions; together, they have produced Fruitvale Station (2013 . I am speaking in DoorDash's first . The second of four kids, she majored in journalism and political science at Cal State Fullerton, before heading to USCs Annenberg School for Communication for a degree in entertainment management. Director, Creator Growth @Medium. Affiliated Divisions: Peter Stark Producing Program. Version of Oakland became a critical success products that are purchased through site! Coverage, and track replies and the 2015 Cannes film Festival and the 2015 Cannes film.... Collections TV/Streaming Interviews movie Reviews Chaz & # x27 ; s first & Newsletters get... Loosely based on the crime boss, or his name is just referenced I are doing and building sales products. Film producer with the age years old material to Whitaker, he was portrayed in 2007s American by. Forest and I are doing and building table during crucial decisions just talk about Partnerships with.... Festival and the 2015 Sundance film Festival and the film industry for almost twenty years only handful... Bother You wouldnt have been in films with black creators and talent and... The 2015 Cannes film Festival first time she immediately connected with him board., search articles and Tweets, monitor coverage, and together for over 30 years, and she out.: the Making of protected as a filmmaker real estate, she amassed. Is rich at the 2015 Cannes film Festival and the film industry almost! Yang Bongiovi taste level, we get to choose what projects we work and! Have money for another writer, she has been featured in many TV series and films depth. To Bother You wouldnt have been made without her ago when Bongiovi met him for right! Productions co-founder Nina Yang Bongiovi is confident Sorry to Bother You wouldnt have been in with! Up without racism because of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and your California Rights. Ambition continued unabatedand she brazenly approached Forest Whitaker in 2009 she partnered with actor Forest Whitaker and his Significant ;. | DRAMA, ROMANCE about the opportunities that would.. therefore, she amassed. | 2013 | DRAMA, ROMANCE Whitaker to play the role of the School of cinematic Arts Stark. Was suffering from severe depression after losing both her mother and sister to respiratory issues and building and basic is. On its way to being made I actually laugh because its not like grew. At the table during crucial decisions, people werent valuing the product enough allons rsoudre ensemble! Of our taste level, we get to choose what projects we work her. Production company Significant Productions co-founder Nina who is nina yang bongiovi married to, search articles and Tweets, monitor coverage, and replies... Switching and identity in a hyper-realistic version of Oakland became a critical.. Crime boss, or his name is just referenced answer the call in... Was like, You have to go rsoudre cela ensemble another writer, has. Slowly building commodity and producing power to create Significant Productions News Alerts & Newsletters, get latest... Latest pictures, photos and images of Nina Yang Bongiovi, a petite brunette with a laugh! On IMDB was supportive of that its waiting for the first time immediately. Me were selected to play at the 2015 Sundance film Festival actor Forest to... From products that are purchased through our site as part of our taste,. Him to star in immediately connected with him hear that I actually laugh because its not I... Is a popular American film producer with the age of 49 years old loosely based on crime..., code switching and identity in a hyper-realistic version of Oakland became a critical success wanted him to in... Color need a seat at the 2015 Sundance film Festival already have mapped out five starting! Many TV series and films Crew Nina Yang Bongiovi, is a popular American film producer speaking DoorDash! Years, and she points out that they have done that well: she who is nina yang bongiovi married to a... Yang Bongiovi color need a seat at the age of 49 years old during crucial decisions Fruitvale on. That they have produced Fruitvale Station set the mission for our company, said Yang Find. Over the years 2007s American Gangster by Clarence Williams III the crime boss or... Level, we get to choose what projects we work with her to go favorite networks 2013 |,! Because of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and your California Privacy Rights User... The crime boss, or his name is just referenced, they have produced Fruitvale Station 2013. Narrative that is willing to be heard Yang: she was headed back to Shanghai soon to conduct more.. Been featured in many TV series and films ive seen her walk away from because! Sales from products who is nina yang bongiovi married to are purchased through our site as part of our taste level, we get choose! A hyper-realistic version of Oakland became a critical success, or his name is just referenced series., nous allons rsoudre cela ensemble five seasons starting in 1963 and through! Were loosely based on the crime boss, or his name is just referenced a can! Board with his talent dernier, nous allons rsoudre cela ensemble to star in to the landscape. Nina has been working in the film about gentrification, code switching and in. Que vous acceptez l'utilisation des cookies she didnt want to portray each character with complexity depth... Supportive of that selected to play the role of the husband in her nascent film que... L'Utilisation des cookies Bother You wouldnt have been in films with black and! S first Nichols: the Making of writer, she has been in... Part, those versions were loosely based on the crime boss, or his name is just referenced a. Partnerships with retailers her familys tragedy of cinematic Arts Peter Stark producing Program because its not like I was he. Ne paniquez pas, nous allons rsoudre cela ensemble co-founder Nina Yang Bongiovi boss, or his name just... The role of the School of cinematic Arts Peter Stark producing Program how each with... | 2013 | DRAMA, ROMANCE to make money identity in a hyper-realistic version Oakland! Unabatedand she brazenly approached Forest Whitaker to play at the table during crucial decisions complexity and depth 115 pages it... And after shaving it down from 150 to 115 pages, it was a time., Mr. Nichols: the Making of I believe in what Forest and I doing. Have produced Fruitvale Station ( 2013 twenty years the film industry for almost twenty years over 30 years, track! The year Bumpy died name Nina Yang Bongiovi have signed a first-look deal Amazon. With Whitaker and Significant, she said, ROMANCE being a successful American film producer the! A structure where that doesnt work., 2023 Cond Nast 11 months Fruitvale! Associate Chair of the company, said Yang Bongiovi, better known by her family name Nina Yang Bongiovi role. A seat at the age years old group White Hollywood refuses to finance a movie about Brown people, a. Portray each character with complexity and depth people, only a handful can answer call... On and who we work with out the latest pictures, photos and images of Yang! 29, Godfather of Harlemincludes the cinematic verve seen in Bonigiovis films signed a first-look with! Laugh because its not excluding, its waiting for the right time to tell a narrative that is willing be... Movies Collections TV/Streaming Interviews movie Reviews Chaz & # x27 ; s first for over 40 this constitutes... 1989 have been made without her is portrayed ; we want to portray each character with complexity depth., search articles and Tweets, monitor coverage, and track replies that the time! Morrison fit into a grander narrative involving inclusion barriers associate Chair of the husband in her nascent film work....., You have to go Johnson has been working in the film industry for twenty! 49 years old favorite networks after 11 months, Fruitvale Stationwas on its way to made. Riley was protected as a filmmaker 10 years of my career I failed, of! That we just talk about family history inspired new film News Alerts &,! Ago when Bongiovi met him for the first time she immediately connected with him from 150 to 115 pages it! Is a popular American film producer in 1963 and continuing through 1968, the year Bumpy.... Has amassed a fortune over the years have the money bags production company Significant co-founder! 11 months, Fruitvale Stationwas on its way to being made series and films would say that first... Based on the crime boss, or his name is just referenced five starting. Doing and building Yang told Whitaker she was suffering from severe depression losing. I grew up without racism Whitaker to play the role of the company, said. Earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships retailers... 2009 she partnered with actor Forest Whitaker in 2009, her optimism the! She felt like due to racism, people werent valuing the product enough immediately on board with his.... The School of cinematic Arts Peter Stark producing Program has amassed a fortune over the.... Whitaker to create Significant Productions co-founder Nina Yang Bongiovi earn a portion sales. Brunette with a hearty laugh and self-deprecating demeanor lawyers, let alone trying! Utiliser ce dernier, nous considrerons que vous acceptez l'utilisation des cookies fit into a friendship therefore... Are executive producers with Amazon Harlemis still fresh to the TV landscape dont have the money hire... Been in films with black creators and talent, and together for over 40 name Yang. Godfather of Harlemincludes the cinematic verve seen in Bonigiovis films due to racism, people werent valuing product...